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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Toile de Jouy, music, the Violin, English transferware, sentimental inherited items, poetry, antique linens, roses and lace...some of my favorite things are all gathered here for our 2011 Valentines Day table. All of these things, to me, create an alluring table filled with romance, nostalgia, and love of music and family.

I hope they bring some of the same feelings to you.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.

~Ronald Reagan~

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.

~Maya Angelou~

If music be the food of love, play on.

~William Shakespeare~

I alone of English writers have consciously set myself to make music out of what I may call the sound of sense.

~Robert Frost~

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.

~Plato~

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

~Henry David Thoreau~

Music is the voice that tells us that the human race is greater than it knows.

~Napoleon Bonaparte~

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.

~Lao Tzu~

Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.

~Martin Luther~

What is a poet? An unhappy person who conceals profound anguish in his heart but whose lips are so formed that as sighs and cries pass over them they sound like beautiful music.

~Soren Keirkegaard~

I call architecture frozen music.

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe~

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.

~Victor Hugo~

I have a sweet tooth for song and music. This is my Polish sin.

~Pope John Paul II~

A few can touch the magic string, and noisy fame is proud to win them: Alas for those that never sing, but die with all their music in them!

~Oliver Wendell Holmes~

I listened, motionless and still; And, as I mounted up the hill, The music in my heart I bore, Long after it was heard no more.

~William Wordsworth~

There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of the spheres.

~Pythagoras~

Music can change the world because it can change people.

~Bono~

My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.

~Martin Luther~

Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.~Ludwig van Beethoven~

Music is what feelings sound like

~Author unknown~

You are the music while the music lasts

~T. S. Eliot~

Tablescape Sources:

Sheet Music: At each place setting I displayed an antique, hand written piece of sheet music sent me by a wonderful Etsy shop, La Pomme. These came from a music school in Aigues Mortes, in the South of France. They all date to the very early 1900's. You must visit this Etsy shop La Pomme where you will find an array of vintage sheet music and wonderful French antiques.

Toile fabric: Either Schumacher or Waverly. This is a large remnant, at least 15 years old, left from some custom draperies.

Incredible!!! I just LOVE the use of the violin in this tablescape! The music cards are wonderful! I went to the etsy shop for them and just fell in love!! I'm off to your etsy shop now and hope to find something I can't resist!Thanks for the Valentine's table and sharing such a beautiful job. I feel like you just sent me a personal greeting!Blessings, Doni

My favorite thing is the violin in the center, followed by the toile tablecloth and then the wine hocks. Outstanding Nancy! So romantic and filled with all of the details that call to mind love notes and stolen kisses!

Nancy,I scrolled to your first pic and went WOW!~ Love the theme of this. Music indeed is the song of the soul. What fantastic quotes and what a beautiful table to go with it. Love, love your violin centerpiece with the vintage French sheet music. Just gorgeous! And, as always, I love your transferware and the creamware. What a romantic and pretty table. Thank you so very much for linking to my party!Sherry

Nancy -- this is such a lovely post! All the quotes made me smile -- I especially loved RR's quote. That centerpiece is so beautiful -- I have a violin of my father's I need to work in. Everything just so special and other worldly. Joni

I enjoyed this post so very much Nancy!!Beautiful photos and fantastic quotes by all thegreat minds of years past!!I can't begin to tell you how much I love music!!Thank goodness my young son shares this and is playingthe piano...happily!!Pamela :)

Nancy, each detail is music to my ears. What a beautiful table and inspiring theme. I so enjoyed reading each of the quotes and viewing your gorgeous table. I adore those silver heart dishes. I have a few small ones that my sweetheart has given me through the years. ~ Sarah

Dear Nancy, I have been through so many blogs this evening as I dont know where I found yours (I think at Laurie's party) but I'm so happy I did.I love your beautiful table setting. So romantic. I'm also a new follower to the many you inspire all ready.Yours Sincerely,Shirley

Nancy, this table is breath taking! The violin centerpiece with the music cards and flowers is stunning. I luv all of the music cards and the ways you used them. Your china, crystal, and the beautiful linens complete this romantic look. I love it. Thank you for linking this post to my Valentine party. Happy Valentine's Day! laurie

How exquisitely beautiful and charming!! I don't know when I've ever seen a tablescape which captivated my imagination and kept me in thrall through the very last frame. Just lovely, and all the quotes---all my journals have quotations which struck my heart, and you have quite a few of those.

I'll be borrowing some, just to keep and savor, as I'll remember these beautiful vignettes and your wonderful photography.

Happy Pink Saturday Nancy Sweetie...What a gorgeous share today. From the sheet music, to the violin (my grand daughter plays as well), to the place settings and all the extras in between. It just screams of LOVE and ROMANCE. I so enjoyed walking around the table just inhaling each and every piece of this love.

Thank you for sharing, not only the photos but also the addresses for the shares. I will definitely be checking out the music sheets, what fun that would be for a tea with the grand daughters. I love it. Thank you again for the beautiful display. You really outdid yourself, and I am sure your family loved sitting at this table.

Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Valentine's Day as well. Country hugs and much love, Sherry

Absolutely mind blowing gorgeous! This is what I've always longed to see a tablescape look like! Please share how you made that centerpiece with the violin?? I'm trying to figure out how you suspended it like that? LOVE LOVE it!! And the old music......so fabulous! Vanna

What a beautiful post, although I was disappointed not to find a song to listen to, but I understand why now reading Natasha's comment above.I was just calling by from Italy via Australia, to listen to your Sunday Song Selection for San Valentino.Buon San Valentino.

Such a spectacular table Nancy. I love the violin and the antique music. The flowers are so gorgeous too. All of the little touches like the candy and the heart shaped dishes are wonderful. If I hadn't just bought red flatware I would have to jump on this, so pretty!Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Nancy,What an absolutely, over the top, beautiful table. You have really set the bar high with this one. Loved the music quotes too...I'm going to forward your post to the music teacher at my school...she will love it.Happy Valentine's Day!Cheryl at My Sister's Cottage

Nancy,When I opened up your blog, my first words were "Oh Wow" "How Beautiful"This is truly magical, romantical (if that is a word) and full of inspiring love. Thanks for sharing such a gorgeous table!Andrea

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About Me

I am a designer and freelance writer specializing in and offering for sale one of the largest collections of 19th and 20th Century English transferware in the world. I love the history and art found in each piece I buy and sell. I've worked with designers and clients all over the world creating custom wallscapes, transferware displays and table settings.

I absolutely love what I do, selling English Transferware and authoring the blog Nancy's Daily Dish where I write educational posts on the subject, create tablescapes with different transfer ware patterns sharing the histories behind them, and share my love of design, cooking, poetry and appreciation of beautiful things.

After 28 years of marriage I am still crazy in love with my husband and the six children we have. I think of them and I smile.

I am so glad you took time to stop by my site. I hope you'll stop by my blog as well and say hello.